Herschel's Scratch Kitchen — Restaurant in New Port Richey

Two weeks ago on a Sunday morning, my daughter and I were desperately seeking something different for brunch. We spotted the website for Herschel's Scratch Kitchen and decided if not great at least different and they served breakfast late!!!

Warning! Do not drive too fast down Main Street or you will miss the absolutely hands-down, best homemade fresh food, you have put in your mouth since Momma used to get up early to make biscuits! My lineage is Momma was a private caterer on Miami Beach and I grew up learning at the end of her wooden spoon. Then went on later to open my own restaurant in Polk County. Everything was freshly baked, all veggies were seasonal, and nothing came out of a can... I KNOW fresh!

The atmosphere is homey inside and welcoming outside. Mask and distancing rules are being followed. Bottom line, the best thing you have ever eaten is being offered in a health-conscious atmosphere.

My daughter had the Make Your Own Mac & Cheese Skillet (pictured below) and it blew her mind. I took a couple of bites and wondered how she was going to eat it all, because it wasn't something you would willingly leave on a plate. I had the Fried Chicken Benedict, (also pictured below) which from the name of it, you know it's either going to be the best thing you ever put in your mouth, or you're going to rate it like chicken nuggets at MickeyD's. NO, No, NO! This is chicken breast pieces perfectly fried in a light, crispy batter, a combination Bernaise/Bechamel sauce with topped with Cheddar Cheese, just enough finely chopped Jalapenos to give you the idea of a little kick, topped with the perfect eggs (your choice of how you want the egg cooked). I chose tomatoes instead of the potatoes, etc., that are included. Surprise! No recoil by staff at the tomato request :)

Took a picture of the sign because it's TRUTH in advertising!

This was SOOOO good I couldn't wait to go back, so I picked up a girlfriend on the following Wednesday and decided to try Hershel's for lunch. You know, maybe Brunch is their shine day? NOPE... Darn they're perfect!

Great luncheon menu and very hard to decide but while we were waiting we decided to get an appetizer. One thing you learn if you've been in the business is that there's always one thing on the menu that will tell the story of the ability of the kitchen. On Hershel's it was the fried pickles. Either they're crispy and delicious or they're battered to death and you get a mouthful of breading and some pickle inside. Their chef knows perfect. Out came a piping hot plate of thinly sliced pickles with a Tempura-style batter, served with a Remoulade Sauce that made you want to eat just that on a side of anything! We couldn't stop eating them...

I then made the mistake of ordering a burger... It was delicious but enormous, another need for a box... I had the Sterling burger with bacon and a side of mac& cheese. OKAY, the Mac & Cheese there is addicting! My friend had the Big Daddy's Southern Reuben. Now, she's a Reuben Monster, so when this arrived at our table, and she put the first bite in her mouth, all she could say was,: I've lived in New Port Richey for years. How did I not know about this place?" Yep, Okay. I've only lived here for a year and a half and not even in NPR, but I found it!!!

This is a very long review and some of you may be tempted to not read the whole thing, but that would be to your detriment, because you may believe this is just another place: BUT IT IS NOT! It is THE PLACE to go for perfect food, exemplary service, and a fin food time for everyone.

Do...

Not a great experience. The food was okay. I could tell the wait staff was irritated and hot, not in the mood to serve. We came at the end of a rush and it seemed like we got the leftovers. The ladies’ bathroom was out of toilet paper, which we told our waitress. We asked about specials she said there were none. But later we overheard another waitress giving the specials. When we heard it, we told that waitress she should let our waitress know because it doesn’t seem like she does. After that our waitress came back to the table arguing that we asked about Father’s Day specials not specials. Okay well today is father’s day and we didn’t know we needed to specify today’s specials instead of Father’s Day specials. It was clear she had no concern of our experience or resolving the issue. She’d rather argue and be right. Peace out. Although she did wish my husband a happy Father’s Day, her overall demeanor was unpleasant. She seemed galled when I asked what fruit was included in the side of fruit. As if it wasn’t a normal question to want to know what fruit is included. I have family members that have food allergies and it’s an important question. We ordered several courses so that we could all taste them. Because that’s what our family enjoys. Out of the 3 Benedict dishes we ordered, 2 of the poached eggs were hard and there was a minimum amount of hollandaise sauce. It was extremely hot and we were sitting outside because there were no more seats left inside, which was fine. Our waitress gave us a pitcher of water for our table of 5 which we emptied quickly. She never refilled our water until after our food was brought out because I handed her the empty pitcher to make room for all the plates. Instead of refilling the pitcher she brought me a cup of water. No one else got refills the duration of our meal. The food took a long time to come out. We came for Father's Day because my husband loves brunch. The waitress was cranky and probably because it was so hot. When the check arrived we were charged for substituting tomatoes and caramelized onions for onions and green peppers on one of the omelets. We have heard such good things about this place it’s disappointing that this was our first experience. Because I can’t say I want to come back and do it again. Definitely not outside dining and definitely...

I’ll start by saying this, my husband & I have loved coming to this place for quite sometime for our “morning dates” after dropping kids off at school. I am so disappointed. Today is the 4th of July, so i applaud them for being open on a busy holiday. I am disappointed, because when I walked in, I wasn’t even acknowledged. There were several of the waitresses walking around talking to one another & one laughing & chatting with a customer at the bar area. I stood there for quite sometime & finally one of the girls come over & said “can I help you”. I said “ I would just like my order please”. She kept rolling her eyes at me as she said “okay sure”. Finally the gentleman that took my call over the phone came to counter & seemed way busier then the snobbish waitress & was very apologetic. All it took was “hi! We will be right with you”. The waitress that kept rolling her eyes as she spoke to me, was very welcoming though to the gentleman that walked in & made sure to “hi! Dining in?” I love their food, so I just went on. Got home told my husband & of course to top it off there were several grey long hairs in my sandwich”. I wouldn’t have left a monetary tip if I were eating at the table, but I would leave a vocal tip. “If your going to be in customer service, treat people the way you would want to be treated & if you can’t do that go work somewhere where you don’t have to acknowledge people”. I am not sure if I’ll darken this business doors, but I pray the owner has a talk with his waitresses about making sure all customers feel welcome even if your running on zero & to speak not only to just the men that enter but acknowledge women or the...